The Broken Brain

Colleen Thomas is an expert in rituals and rites of passage. She even started a podcast about it called Shame Piñata. She talks here about the importance of rituals and rites in our lives, and how creating your own rituals can be a powerful way to heal from trauma, grief, and stress. Colleen was a guest on the Let's Chat Live YouTube show focused on introductions to new podcasts, and I was lucky enough to be guest hosting that day. Check out Colleen's show and also the Let's Chat Live Show on Youtube. If you want to support the show and get some cool rewards, check out The Broken Brain Patreon page at www.patreon.com/brokenbrain.

When a loved one is caught up in addiction, they suffer. So do we. Terms like "enmeshment," "enabling," and "codependent," sometimes serve to shame and confuse more than to help. Beth Gardner is an expert in helping those who have loved ones deep in addiction. As a life Coach, a champion rower, cancer survivor, and research expert, Beth has built up resources and expertise in helping those who support their loved ones. In this episode she talks about addiction, sobriety, trauma, and empathy. Learn more about Beth's work at selfreliant.info Become a patron of the Broken Brain at www.patreon.com/brokenbrain, check out the tiers of rewards we have set up. Or drop us a tip at www.buymeacoffee.com/brokenbrain. It helps to fund more frequent episodes with more Brain-Breakingly cool stuff.

Kristen Lopez is a Film and TV critic, writer, and creator and host of the Ticklish Business Podcast. She joins me on the Broken Brain to discuss the depictions, tropes, and (often) failures of Hollywood in capturing the experience and the depictions of individuals with disabilities on the big screen.

Hannah Boone & Reed Anderson are comedians and podcasters who work in the medium of mental health related humor, among other funny things they talk about. They join me today to discuss the balance of being funny and sharing their own mental health and trauma. How can you be funny about things that are so serious? When do the jokes land, when do they not, and how does the crowd react? Check out their Podcast, Disordered, on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you pick up your freshly baked podcasts!

Sharon Blady is the creator of Embrace Your Superpowers & Bulletproof to Stigma, and a passionate advocate for mental health and Trauma Recovery. Last time on the program she shared the concept of reframing mental health 'struggles' into harnessing them as our personal superpowers. This time we discuss the film Captain Marvel and its empowerment and images of recovery.

Abi Perez is a mental health advocate, mediator, and the creator and host of the Friends of Friends AmigosDAmigos Podcast. She joins today to talk about her experiences with mental health within the Mexican-American community, the importance of community, relationships, conflict, self-awareness, and the power of a nonjudgemental attitude. Become a patron of the show at www.patreon.com/brokenbrain, or give a one time tip at Brains Breaking www.buymeacoffee.com/brokenbrain

This week's episode is an opportunity I had to interview with Bernard Ennis, the host & creator of the Your New Favourite Song Podcast, and of the band The Ennrons. Originally this was a live broadcast on the Let's Chat Live show on YouTube. I am including it in the Broken Brain's feed because Bernard talks about music as a creative outlet, and finding new ways to engage with and find music that you love. Become a patron of the show at www.patreon.com/brokenbrain, or give a one time tip at www.buymeacoffee.com/brokenbrain

2021 looks good when Brian Bachand is a returning guest! Founder of Evolution Evolution, Brian returns to teach us about creating plans, navigating change, and deciding when and how to take your next leap into the future. He even gives us a little advice regarding New Years Resolutions... Brian's suggested charity is ACCES Employment, a foundation assisting immigrants to Canada to find work. Get involved today at accesemployment.ca Learn more about Brian's company & work at evolutionevolution.com Become a patron of the show at www.patreon.com/brokenbrain, or give a one time tip at www.buymeacoffee.com/brokenbrain

Chris Revill of The Let's Chat Podcast joins the show once again to discuss the Holiday special The Snowy Day, based on the book by Ezra Jack Keats. We review specifically the 2016 adaptation. We have a lot of fun and talk about Holiday plans, relationships, and life in a city environment This episode's charity of focus is Your Local Food Bank. This year the need for food relief is up at least 300%, so please give what you can. Happy Holidays, whatever this means for each of you! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/brokenbrain

Britt Nicole is the host and creator of the You Me and PTSD Podcast. Britt is a certified Life and Resilience Coach specializing in working with individuals whose lives have been affected by Combat Trauma. She joins today to discuss her work, her perspective on trauma, and the experiences she has shared with husband, a combat veteran with combat PTSD. Become a patron of the show at www.patreon.com/brokenbrain, or give a one time tip at www.buymeacoffee.com/brokenbrain

Michael Kaplen is an Attorney who specializes in working with those who have suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), helping individuals to secure their rights and receive services addressing their injuries. Michael is also the Chair of the New York State TBI Services Coordinating Council, former President of the Brain Injury Association of NY State, and has held a host of other leadership positions in the area of TBI Law. He joins me today to discuss legal and other issues facing TBI patients. Learn more about Michael's practice at www.brainlaw.com Become a patron of the show at www.patreon.com/brokenbrain, or give a one time tip at www.buymeacoffee.com/brokenbrain

Brian Bachand is the Founder and CEO of Evolution Evolution, a Global Coaching company focused on professional and personal changes. Brian is no stranger to life's transitions. 13 years ago he had the experience of Coming Out to friends and family, and left his position as a Catholic Priest. Brian joins the show to talk about his story and tips for listeners who may be contemplating major life changes.

Dr. Steven Mandel, Founder and President of Ketamine Clinics of Los Angelas, returns to the show, with Sam Mandel, Clinic Director. Dr. Mandel is a pioneer in the use of Ketamine to treat Depression, Suicidality, PTSD, and other psychological disorders. As a returning guest, he updates us on what has changed in the research and use of Ketamine over the past year, and we talk about the health impact that depression and suicide have in our society in general, and in the time of the COVID19 Pandemic. Become a patron of the show at www.patreon.com/brokenbrain, or give a one time tip at www.buymeacoffee.com/brokenbrain

Clare Waismann is the Founder and Director of Waismann Method® Opioid Treatment Specialists. She joins me today with David Livingston, her Clinical Director. Clare and David also host the Waismann Method® Podcast Clare & David help people through the process of Opioid withdrawal with the process of Rapid Detoxification. They join me to talk about the role that detox plays in treatment.

Ivuoma Okoro is a masterful storyteller who created the Vega podcast, a super exciting sci-fi audio experience. The show recently returned with the remainder of season 1, and Ivuoma gave me a copy of the season 2 trailer. Check out the show today! You will love it. Follow the show @vegapodcast, and visit Ivuoma's website: ivuomatellsstories.com This is an episode in the Meet Creative People Project. If you know creators, especially Black artists or People of Color, that you would like to see highlighted, please let me know @breakabrain.

Josh Wood returns once again so we can talk about where we are in the UK and the USA in coping with the worldwide COVID pandemic. HEADS UP, we do get a little political in this chat, we are both fans of the universal healthcare model, and other stuff. We talk about our opinions and experiences in our different roles and nations. Josh is the business manager for Improving Lives, a health advocacy and helping charity in Nottinghamshire, UK. Learn more about them at improvinglivesnotts.org.uk

Dr. Delice Coffey is the first Sports Psychologist to appear on the program, and boy did we luck out to have her! An accomplished clinical therapist, sports psychologist, former powerlifter. She speaks about training, mental focus, follow through, and mental health management. She also shares information about her excellent nonprofit, the D Coffey Foundation for Athletics and Education. Learn more about this at: http://www.athletesponsorship.org/

Darryl Mansel has created a positive and amazing culture in the Poprika Podcast and FaceBook Group, talking all things pop culture, comics, books, and films. This is a sample episode he gave me permission to share with Broken Brain listeners. Subscribe to Poprika today! This is an episode in the Meet Creative People Project. If you know creators, especially Black artists or People of Color, that you would like to see highlighted, please let me know @breakabrain.

Deshanta Hairston graduated with her degree in Professional Writing before before noticing an alarming lack of an independent bookstore in her community. She remedied this by opening Books and Crannies. Recently she went viral on Twitter, and is here today to tell us about business, bookselling, going big online, and being a Black business owner. Basically she's telling us how to make a dream a reality. Today's charity of focus is the Alzheimers Association. Learn more and get involved at www.alz.org

This episode is a sample episode of the History of Color Podcast, another show on the Core Temp Arts podcast network. Allegra Alvarado, host and creator of the show, gave me permission to share this episode on the Broken Brain feed. This is episode 4 of her show, and she tells the story of the Black Suffragette movement. Give is a listen and subscribe to History of Color today. This episode is part of the Meet Creative People project, introducing you to creators that you should know. If you know creative people of color or black creators, artists, or innovators please let me know @breakabrain on Twitter.

Ian Levy is a Professor of Counseling for Manhattan College. When Ian was working as a School Counselor in the South Bronx (New York City public schools) Ian used his talent and experience as a Hip-Hop artist to engage with young people. He joins me today to share some practical examples of his work, as well as to explain what research he is doing into this area. Ian was kind enough to share the track "Showman," from his latest musical project "And Then It Glistens." You'll hear it as the intro music and then the entire song follows our interview. Check out the entire album on Apple Music or at his website: www.Ianplevy.com The Broken Brain's featured Charity this week is Upbeat NYC, a nonprofit music education organization for kids.

Karly Beaumont is the owner and creator of the Core Temp Arts network of podcasts. She joins me to day to tell her story of the work that she does recording, producing, and managing a team of podcasts. Karly has a history of managing nonprofit work, photography, and art. Learn more about her work at www.coretemparts.com This episode is the first in the Broken Brain's Meet Creative People project. I will be introducing you to creators that you should know. If you know creative people of color or black creators, artists, or innovators please let me know @breakabrain on Twitter.

Sharon Blady is a Superhero, and so are You! Sharon is the former Minister of Health for the province of Manitoba and is a renowned speaker and trainer. She has a remarkable story of her own experiences with mental health, and takes a strengths-based approach to reframing our own characteristics and symptoms using Comics and Pop Culture. Learn more at her website http://www.speak-up.co/, and watch her presentations on YouTube (especially her talk on Hiding in Plain Sight).

Josh Wood, Business Manager for Improving Lives, returns to the show to talk about social distancing and managing healthcare needs during the pandemic. We talk about using technology to work with mental health needs, possible difficulties of isolation, and ways people cope. We are even able to have a chuckle here and there in the midst of all of this craziness. Josh is a wonderful person and a passionate advocate, glad to have him back. Hope that all of you listening are somewhere safe with those you love. Be careful.

Robert Melillo is an expert in childhood neurological disorders. He is the founder and director of the Brain Balance Centers. He joined me to discuss his background and the methods he uses to help children with ADHD, developmental delay, or who are on the Autism Spectrum. We discuss what parents can do to work with their children at home, especially at this time during the health crises when so many are stuck at home.

Josh Wood is the business manager for Improving Lives, a medical and mental health support service for patients in Nottinghamshire. Josh helps me understand the needs of the population they serve, obstacles to mental health recovery, and a little bit about the UK health system for good measure. Learn more about this important organization at: https://www.improvinglivesnotts.org.uk/

Chris Aiken MD of the Mood Treatment Center, and author of the book "Bipolar Not So Much," joins me today to discuss his research and practice in the area of dietary interventions to help with symptoms of Bipolar and Mood Disorder. This is the real deal, medically researched and balanced dietary tips to help reduce symptoms of depression and mania.

This is a Continuing Education Credit (CEU) training for the Aspire Network of Counselors. Feel free to listen in as well. Zach Butterfield is a Licensed Counselor and certified in the use of Neurofeedback for psychological therapy. He was kind enough to train the clinicians in our office on the ins and outs of Neurofeedback, and do a live demonstration (which is largely visual, we tried to edit that part down a bit).

Ketamine Infusion Treatment is an exciting new therapy for the treatment of mood disorders, anxiety, ADHD, and other psychological conditions. Dr. Stephen Mandel is a pioneer in the use of this treatment, and talked to me about the use and results from ketamine therapy in his practice. You can learn more about ketamine and his ongoing practice/research at www.ketamineclinics.com.

Electro Convulsive Therapy or ECT is an important last resort in the treatment of treatment resistant depression. Mike and Dwight had the chance to sit down with the head physician over the ECT department of the University of Utah Hospital. We discuss stigma, other treatment options, side effects, and the complicated nature of this major psychiatric intervention.

Lee Messersmith and I discuss the dynamics of restraint in clinical settings, a weird element of intensive psychiatric care. Rerun from a few years ago.

Rerun of my episode about the African social service organization "Confident Children Out of Conflict," an important organization helping children. I interview Caitlin Cockroft, their publicity and social media director. Go to their website and make a donation today!

A Rerun of one of our most popular training episodes: Another wonderful training at Aspire for Continuing Education Units (CEU) to help all of us counselors keep our licenses. This one is by Licensed Clinical Social Worker Janet Mitchell. Janet is an expert in the area of Self Care, which is defined as the ability to increase, improve, and maintain mental health through a healthy lifestyle. More than just a reminder to exercise and eat right, Janet has created some tools and techniques to help us to identify which areas of our life will increase our ability to zone into a meditative or mindful place of health.

A Broken Brain Classic Rerun! Our Good Buddy Candice Christiansen (owner and Clinical Director of Namaste Center for Healing) joins us to talk trauma, addiction, recovery, and healing. We discuss EDMR, Cognitive Therapy, Exposure, and BOTH of our dogs.

Psychological studies show that infants have a much deeper and more rich mental life than we have previously believed. As a new father (for the third time) I want to know what my infant daughter is up to, and this interview with Dr. Annette Henderson, a Developmental and Research Psychologist who studies infants at Auckland University, and taught me that she is up to a lot!

Illustrator Steve McDonald is the creator of the coloring books Fantastic Cities and Fantastic Structures. These books are designed particularly for adults, as an exercise in mindfulness and anxiety reduction. Complex coloring is a therapeutic tool that many therapists and individuals are using to increase relaxation and present focused thinking. They are also a fun way to engage with art, especially for those of us who don't always draw that well on our own. Plus, Steve is a fantastic and interesting person. Enjoy our discussion.

My interview from a couple years back with Dr. Ron Llewellyn, psychologist and trauma recovery expert. A good friend, college professor, expert clinician and author. Enjoy Ron's interview and then click over to see him speak on Trauma Recovery on this YOUTUBE VIDEO.

Clay Cockrell is the founder of walkandtalk.com, and a psychotherapist in practice in New York City. Clay often takes his clients walking in Central Park during their sessions, combining the relaxing mindful pace of a walk in the park with the healing process of therapy.

My interview with Dr. Rebecca Dempster, psychologist and trauma expert. Through her services at Resilio (click HERE to view her site) she specializes in working with agencies serving third world and developing nations.

Rerun of my interview with Chris about the scandal Luminosity got itself into a couple years back by making outlandish claims about brain health. Be sure to tune in for new Broken Brain episodes next month!

A rerun of my interview with Actress and (credited extra in Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens) Ana Maria Leonte. Stay tuned for brand new episodes of The Broken Brain Podcast next month!

A rerun of my interview with Buck Black, the therapist who specializes in therapy for Truckers. New Episodes of the Broken Brain are coming soon, along with some special projects. Thanks for listening to these classic episode this month.

ALERT: This EPISODE had an AUDIO GLITCH, which should now be REPAIRED! SORRY if oyu tried to hear it ealrier and it did not work. Non Wels, friend of the show, confirmed joymonger, and cohost of The Joy Sandwich Podcast, joins me to tell a story. Non is a storyteller by nature, as an accomplished writer and content creator, but this time he is telling his own story. Working on creating a narrative of his own experience with control addictive patterns, compulsion, anxiety, and eating disorder, and kind enough to share with us? Sounds kind, creative, and courageous. In other words it sounds like Non.

Dr. Daniel Jolley joins me to discuss his groundbreaking research in the area of Conspiracy Theories. Dr. Jolley is a Psychologist, faculty at Staffordshire University, who studies the psychological dynamic of being drawn to theories of conspiracy. Daniel talks about the reason why some of us are more likely to have conspiratorial suspicions, the consequences of this type of thinking, and how to respond to it. Follow Daniel @DrDanielJolley on twitter, and check out his super cool website at ConspiracyPsychology.com.

Nick Hobson is a Psychologist who studies Ritual. This is an often misunderstood and difficult to measure psychological trait in human beings to benefit or suffer according to our day to day repetitive behavior. Do these things comfort us or harm us, and why do we do them? Nick's research indicates a definite trend to ritualize our actions, and tendencies to bond and hate based upon them. Check out his YouTube video introducing his research, and follow him on Twitter @nickmhobson.

Karly Beaumont, head of the Core Temp Arts Network of podcasts, podcaster, and pop culture expert, joins me to discuss the dynamics of relationship repair that are presented in the quirky and highly metaphorical movie "The One I Love." This film depicts a live action visualization of the different parts of our personalities in the process of repairing damaged relationships, and asking ourselves questions about the survivability of love. Follow Karly on Twitter @karlyvision, or check out her podcast work on the shows "Talking Shondaland," "That Pop This Life," and "TV Ate My Brain."

Karson Kinikini krushes konfidentiality in khild therapy...that should be crushes confidentiality in child therapy. Karson is a long time friend and first rate therapist. This recording is him teaching a group of us therapist-types about the importance, complications, ethics, and dynamic of confidentiality between child and their therapist. This episode is a CEU training given to the Aspire Network of therapists.

Andrew, from AB Film Review and the Last New Wave Podcasts, joins me to talk about the social and psychological implications of the introduction of a new gaming system. This is NOT a review of the Nintendo Switch, it IS Andrew and I talking about the effects that the presence of gaming have had upon us personally and culture in general.